The Joint
Administration Center for the Royal Cremation of His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej on 17 October 2017 organized a press briefing on preparations
for the ceremony to place Nine-Tiered Great White Umbrella of State (Nopphapadon Maha Sawetta
Chat) at the top of the Royal Crematorium (PhraMerumas).
The ceremony will be held on 18 October 2017. Representatives from the Fine Arts
Department and the Government Public Relations Department (PRD) joined the press
briefing at the Main Press Center (MPC), Thammasat University.
Miss Suporn Ratthanapong,
Deputy Director – General of the Fine Arts Department,spoke about the background
of this important ceremony and the creation of the Nine-tiered Great White
Umbrella of State, in accordance with royal ancient traditions.
Mr.
Pornpitak Maensiri, PRD Senior Specialist for Public Relations, said that certain
roads around Sanam Luang would be closed to traffic from 14.00 hr onwards on 18
October 2017. Members of the media will be allowed to cover this event outside
the ceremonial ground. The Television Pool of Thailand will start to broadcast
live this ceremony from 16.50 hr onwards.
On 18 October 2017 at 17.00 hr,His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun will preside over the ceremony of placing the Nine-Tiered Great White Umbrella of State at the top of the Royal Crematorium within Sanam Luang ceremonial ground.
The
Nine-tiered Great White Umbrella of State, which is part of the Royal Regalia,
is reserved for the king who has performed a royal coronation ceremony in
accordance with royal ancient traditions. Itis made of white cloth in nine
tiers, each decorated with three levels of golden bands, the last one with
floral hangings.The umbrella of state is placed or hung on various occasions. For
example, it is placed over the Royal Crematorium and the Golden Palanquin
with Three Poles (PhraYannamas Sam Lam Khan), in the procession to transfer the
Royal Urn to the funeral pyre at the Royal Crematorium.